Nonfarm Payrolls Fell 125,000 in June on Census Worker Lay-Offs

Total nonfarm payroll employment fell by 125,000 in June as the government laid off 225,000 temporary census workers.

The decline was roughly in line with expectations. The median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey was for a decline of 130,000.

Unemployment fell slightly to 9.5%, or 14. 6 million people, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said on its website. That's because many unemployed have given up their search for jobs, and people in that category aren't included in the official unemployment rate.

Private sector payroll employment rose by 83,000, which is up from the May figure. The New York Times said the median forecast was for an increase of 110,000 in private sector payroll employment.

Stock futures were flat after the report with the Dow Jones industrial average futures gaining 15, or 0.2 percent, at 9,677.